title: Lung cancer with a single brain metastasis: therapeutic options.
abstract: Between January 1983 and December 1988 67 patients presenting with solitary cerebral recurrence from lung cancer were observed in our Institution. Resection was possible in 21 cases (31%). The surgical treatment included craniotomy with radical thoracotomy in 10 patients, craniotomy alone (with thoracotomy not including radical lung resection) in 5 patients and craniotomy performed within months of the initial elective thoracic surgery in 6 patients. In our series routine brain CT was carried out as a part of the staging procedure for lung cancer. Based on our results, we recommend an aggressive surgical approach to both cerebral recurrence and lung primary (scheduling craniotomy before thoracotomy), followed by whole brain RT, in order to prolong survival and improve the quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology Regional Hospital in Sondalo, Sondrio, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rizzi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tondini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rocco
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Robustellini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Radaelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Della Pona
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003399:Craniotomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013908:Thoracotomy